As we all know, AT&T officially announced their first Android-based handset, which will be made by Motorola. That handset will be the Globally Introduced BACKFLIP with MOTOBLUR, which Motorola have officially announced. Meanwhile Motorola also confirmed that the CLIQ - Motorola DEXT in other countries - will get the update from Android 1.5 to 2.1, and the DROID will get Adobe Flash 10.1 in future releases.
There was no mention on carrier partnerships on Motorola’s press conference at CES 2010, but the image of the Backflip is the same shown by AT&T as the first Android handset on that carrier. The Backflip will run Android 1.5, so unfortunately, its buyers will have to wait for the update to version 2.1. This device will not only be release by AT&T, but will see a global launch in Q1 2010, there's no word on prices at the moment. The Backflip can be use it as an alarm clock or a standalone PMP, thanks to its unusual way to fold the QWERTY keyboard back against the screen section, leaving the keys exposed, hence the name Backflip.
The Motorola Backflip, as we already know, will have MOTOBLUR preloaded, it comes with a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.1-inch HVGA display, together with AGPS, WiFi b/g, and Bluetooth 2.0. Another interesting fact is a touch-sensitive navigation pad on the back of the screen section of this Android handset. Motorola calls this navigation pad "BACKTRACK", which will help you navigate webpages and lists, without obscuring or smudging the touchscreen with your dirty fingers, just in case. We'll have to wait to find out if this feature will actually help.
Press Release:

Motorola Globally Introduces BACKFLIP™ with MOTOBLUR™ – Taking Smart in a Whole New Direction
BACKFLIP bends the smart phone rules with a unique reverse flip design and BACKTRACK™ feature for speeding through MOTOBLUR social streams
January 06, 2010
LAS VEGAS – CES – Jan. 6, 2010 – Today Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced the latest addition to its Android™ portfolio: BACKFLIP™ with MOTOBLUR™. The Motorola BACKFLIP, which combines the social saviness and personalization of MOTOBLUR with the multitasking performance of a smart phone, will be available in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia beginning in Q1 2010. The unique reverse flip design makes it easy to enjoy videos, music and photos, and the QWERTY keyboard allows you to blast through e-mails, texts, news feeds, social network messages and more.
“Since introducing our first MOTOBLUR-based device, we’ve remained focused on differentiating the Android experience and bringing it to new carrier partners around the globe,” said Sanjay Jha, co-CEO of Motorola and CEO of Motorola Mobile Devices. “BACKFLIP maximizes the multi-tasking and multi-functional potential of MOTOBLUR with its unique design elements, making it as smart as it is social.”
MOTOBLUR is Motorola’s Android-powered content delivery service created to make phones more personal and socially smart. It is the first and only solution to sync contacts, posts, messages, photos and much more—from sources such as Facebook®, MySpace, Twitter, Gmail™, work and personal e-mail, and LastFM—and automatically deliver them to the home screen. Content is fed into easy-to-manage streams allowing you to spend less time managing your life and more time living it.
BACKFLIP is designed around the MOTOBLUR experience and provides multiple features to keep phone conversations moving. Multi-tasking has never been easier with BACKFLIP’s reverse-flip QWERTY keyboard and high-res 3.1” HVGA screen—letting you see more and respond faster. Navigate quickly and easily through menus and features with the new and unique BACKTRACK™ feature. BACKTRACK is a touch panel located on the other side of the device, offering you a new way to scroll through—the Web, texts, e-mails and news feeds without obscuring the home screen.
The truly original design allows BACKFLIP to create new ways to enjoy photos, music and more. In the reverse-flip, tabletop mode, listen to music or view videos hands free. The digital picture frame mode lets you show off your latest adventures. You can even turn BACKFLIP into a bedside alarm clock for your morning wake up call.
BACKFLIP comes fully equipped with the MOTOBLUR features you know and love. The full HTML browser on BACKFLIP’s 3.1” high-res, touch display will be sure to impress, and, with 3G speed and Wi Fi access, you will never be out of the loop. Android Market™ gives you access to more than 18,000 apps and widgets, so you are free to customize BACKFLIP to your liking. Capture the moment with BACKFLIP’s 5 MP camera with flash and easily upload to your favorite photo sharing or social site. Additional extras such as aGPS and stereo Bluetooth1 make BACKFLIP the complete package.
Finally, MOTOBLUR provides end-users with convenience and peace of mind, as lost devices can be located from a secure personal information portal and even remotely erased if necessary. Then, one user name and password brings back your contacts, messages and connectivity to your previously configured networks and email providers.
BACKFLIP with MOTOBLUR will be available in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia beginning in Q1 2010. For specific regional availability and pricing, contact your local Motorola representative. To experience BACKFLIP, please visit www.motorola.com/backflip.
For more information, product specifications and images of BACKFLIP, please visit Media Center Fact Sheets. For multimedia assets from CES, visit CES 2010 Press Kit. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Contact your service provider for details.
1 This device supports Bluetooth A2DP, HSP, and HFP profiles. For Bluetooth devices to communicate with one another, they must utilize the same Bluetooth profile. To determine the profiles supported by other Motorola devices, visit www.motorola.com/bluetooth. For other devices, contact their respective manufacturer. Certain Bluetooth features including those listed may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices, or by certain wireless carriers. Contact your wireless carrier about feature availability and functionality.

We already know Rogers Wireless recently announced that they will be the exclusive Canadian carrier of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10. But we didn't know anything about a mini Xperia X10, according to the folks over at GSMArena, they received in-the-wild shots of a mini Xperia X10 version.
According to the tip, the smaller handset you see on the image above on the left side, is the Sony Ericsson Robyn, which is presumably a codename for a mini version of the XPERIA X10. There aren't much details on this new handset, other then it runs Android and has a touchscreen. If this Android handset makes it to production, we’re guessing an entry-level market will be its target.
It'll probably have a lower resolution camera than the 8.1-megapixel with autofocus on the XPERIA X10. We also assume that WiFi, Bluetooth and HSPA should make it to the final product, together with Sony Ericsson's Timescape and Mediascape. There's another image of the Robyn below. What do you think, would you buy a mini XPERIA X10?

Well, iFixit has done it again, they got their very own Android superphone and decided to tear it apart. For those who want to know what's inside the so-called superphone, this is good news, but others might be screaming; "what were they thinking!"
The good folks over at iFixit made a few discoveries after this teardown, one of them is that the WLAN chip is Broadcom’s BCM4329. Which is WiFi 802.11n-capable, and HTC actually confirmed to SlashGear earlier on yesterday, that the Nexus One has the hardware to connect to the faster wireless network standard.
After forking out $530 plus taxes on one of the greatest smartphones nowadays, I would definitely want to use it as intended, not break it in pieces, but that's just me. Would you do that to a great handset? Especially after spending a good amount of money on it?

Here we go again with the Google Nexus One, as you already know, it is schedule to go to Vodafone by Spring. British carrier Vodafone has confirmed the arrival within the next few weeks, of the New Android device to Britain, with France and Germany likely to follow.
According to a Vodafone spokesperson, the group plans to sell the Nexus One in France, Germany and other European countries this year. Vodafone UK have a FAQ for the Google Nexus One, we don't see any groundbreaking news, but it'll help in some extent those future superphone owners across the pond.
The same Vodafone spokesperson said:

I can confirm that Vodafone is the first operator to partner with Google to offer the Nexus One in Europe, starting soon in the UK, in a few short weeks. No detail on pricing and precise timing has yet been made, but that will come in a few weeks.
Our agreement with Google stretches beyond Europe -- all Vodafone's geographies -- and over time we will be working to provide offers in other Vodafone operating countries.

Apparently, Vodafone rival; O2 is interested on the Android 2.1 handset too, when asked about the Nexus One handset, a spokesperson said: "We have been following Google's announcement with interest". She also said that they will continue to review and refresh their products to meet the demands of their subscribers.

AT&T already announced their plans to bring a Motorola Android-based device to their customers, along with more offerings from Dell and HTC. It has been confirmed that the first Android Smartphone to arrive to the last of the major carriers without one, will be the Motorola Backflip.
The Motorola Backflip, as you might remember, has a distinctive hinge with a backward-facing QWERTY keyboard. This Motorola handset will be exclusive to the AT&T network, and apparently, this will be the only Android-based handset by Motorola on the carrier.
This smartphone will run the new social networking interface from Motorola known as MOTOBLUR. There is no confirmation on the exact price, release date (only first half of 2010) or if the name will be the Backflip, the Enzo or something else.
[Via SlashGear]

Dell has confirmed that their first smartphone sporting the free mobile OS from Google; the Mini 3, will be landing to AT&T. As you might remember, the Mini 3 Android handset was officially announced to go to China Mobile and Brazil’s Claro back in November.
AT&T had announced already their intentions to release 5 different Android-based devices on 1H 2010 with devices from Motorola, HTC and Dell. The Mini 3 will be Dell's offering in the wireless carrier network, but there's no word on the release date just yet.
Dell is not giving any information on the full specs of the Mini 3, but is only logical to assume that it will be similar to the Chinese Mini. What do you think folks, will you buy the Dell Mini 3 from AT&T? Or you don't like the handset or AT&T's service enough to jump ship?
Press Release:

DELL ANNOUNCES U.S. SMART PHONE DEAL WITH AT&T
· AT&T joins Dell’s growing list of leading smart phone carriers, including China Mobile and Claro Brazil
· Dell and AT&T collaborate on one of the first Android-based smart phones to run on AT&T and the nation’s fastest 3G network
· The Mini 3 smart phone reflects Dell’s continued focus on developing smart mobile products that answer the needs of today’s consumers
LAS VEGAS, JAN. 6, 2010 – Dell today announced that U.S.-based AT&T will become the next mobile operator to offer a smart phone from the Mini 3 Android-based lineup. Over the past two months, Dell has established smart phone arrangements with leading mobile operators including the world’s largest, China Mobile, Claro in Brazil, and now AT&T with the nation’s fastest 3G network.
Mini 3 smart phones create an easy-to-use mobile Internet experience. The Android-based platform gives the Mini 3 optimal power, flexibility and customization opportunities for both users and operators. Collaboration between Dell and AT&T combines the very best in performance and style. And, with AT&T’s largest Wi-Fi hotspot network, and fastest 3G network, Dell and AT&T will provide today’s social media mavens with the ability to simultaneously Tweet friends, post Facebook updates, share pictures and browse the Web.
Today’s announcement builds upon Dell’s mobile strategy of delivering communications solutions for wireless operators and their dedicated customers. Dell works with select operators around the world to make the most of their customers’ mobile experiences – on any network and using any application.
The arrangement with AT&T is part of Dell’s continued focus on developing smart mobile products and services through value-added relationships with leading operators. Dell has existing arrangements with other leading global telecom providers, including Vodafone in Europe, Australia and New Zealand; AT&T in the United States; M1 and Starhub in Singapore; Maxis in Malaysia; China Mobile in China; and Claro in Brazil – each creating more opportunities to meet the needs of the connected lifestyle.
Dell has contact with and listens to the requirements of millions of customers. In addition, a recent Dell-sponsored study of more than 1,500 people provides keen insight to what makes for the best smart phone and mobile experience. Study highlights include:
· Eighty-two percent of those who own smart phones said they would not leave home without them;
· Eighty-six percent of survey respondents under age 35 say that personalized software and features on smart phones are important;
· More than half say they wish there were more smart phone options available in the marketplace;
· Seventy-six percent say they would consider new smart phone devices from a well-known technology brand; and
· Nearly 90 percent say they would consider purchasing a smart phone from a highly regarded technology company as an alternative to leading smart phone manufacturers.
“Smart phones are an extension of Dell’s strategy to develop intelligent and more mobile products that meet the needs of operators and customers,” said Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions. “The Mini 3 is a result of listening to customers and creating products that allow people to do the things they want, whenever and wherever they want to do them.”
“As the leader in smart phones, AT&T makes a great match with Dell to introduce the next Mini 3,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We offer our customers what no one else can, the nation’s fastest 3G network, the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network and now, Dell’s first smart phone in the U.S.”
Details about Dell’s Mini 3 will be announced by AT&T closer to device availability expected during the first half of 2010.

Finally, the last of the major wireless carriers in the country, will be offering Android handsets to its subscribers. AT&T has confirmed at CES 2010 about their plans to release 5 Android phones on the first half of this year.
The wait is over for those who want their wireless service with AT&T, but want to use an Android handset. Or if you already have and want to stay on AT&T, but do not like other offerings, this year comes your chance to get an Android device.
According to AT&T, you will be able to choose between 5 different devices from Motorola, HTC and Dell. There are many of you out there who would live to get a Nexus One with AT&T 3G, but unfortunately, there's no word on which phone or phones from HTC will arrive to the carrier.
Full press release:

AT&T Launches Major Initiative to Bring 'Apps to All'
Company Also Plans to Launch Five Android-Based Devices in First Half of 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada, January 6, 2010
newsrelease
AT&T today announced plans to launch five new devices from Dell, HTC and Motorola based on the Android platform. The company also announced a major initiative to expand the universe of mobile applications beyond smartphones to more mobile phones – and spur future app development for emerging consumer electronics devices, its U-verse TV platform, and enterprise and small business workplaces.
At the 4th annual AT&T Developer Summit in Las Vegas, executives outlined details including:
* New devices that will give customers the most robust choices of major operating systems (OS), including Android™, in the U.S.
* A goal to offer all major smartphone OS app stores
* An agreement with Qualcomm to standardize apps development for mid-range Quick Messaging Devices using BREW Mobile Platform. These devices are used by millions of customers who historically have not had the same convenient access as smartphone customers to the market’s hottest apps
* A new AT&T SDK (software developer kit) to help developers immediately begin to develop apps for these devices
* A significantly enhanced developer program and new relationships with global carriers that are intended to make it easier for developers to distribute apps in markets outside the U.S.
* Future initiatives to enable developers to create more apps for AT&T’s U-verse TV, emerging consumer electronics devices, and businesses
* A new AT&T Virtual Innovation Lab and two new Innovation Centers, which will help developers and spur apps development
“Applications help consumers realize the full value and benefits of mobile broadband networks, services and devices,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Today some AT&T customers can take advantage of more than 100,000 apps – but only if they have the right handset. Our goal is to bring more apps to millions more of our customers who want convenient access to the market’s hottest apps. At the same time, in the future, we plan to go well beyond mobile devices to spur apps development.”
In addition to ultimately giving more customers more choices of applications, the long-term strategic initiatives announced today will make it easier for developers to cost effectively create applications and reach broader audiences, and help AT&T drive data revenues.
Extend Smartphone Leadership
AT&T will further its leadership in smartphones with the planned launch of five new devices from Dell, HTC and Motorola based on the Android platform. Those devices, which are scheduled to be available during the first half of 2010, include:
* A Motorola smartphone, powered by MOTOBLUR, with a unique form factor and an AT&T exclusive
* Dell’s first smartphone, based on the Android platform and an AT&T exclusive
* A HTC smartphone, based on the Android platform, and an AT&T exclusive
AT&T customers with these devices will benefit not only from the nation’s fastest 3G network but also the ability to simultaneously talk on the phone while surfing the Web or reading email. Customers can sign up for email notifications as more details are available at www.att.com/android.
In addition, AT&T announced its goal to lead the industry in application choices for smartphone customers by offering all major app stores. It will preload the corresponding store for each device -- giving customers convenient access to thousands of apps optimized for their smartphone. Today, AT&T added to existing agreements with Nokia for Ovi store and Microsoft for Windows Marketplace by announcing an agreement for Android Market. It expects to announce more app store agreements in the near future and will offer carrier billing as an easy and convenient payment option for as many stores as possible.
‘Apps for All’ by Standardizing Apps Development with Brew Mobile Platform
De la Vega also announced a significant new agreement with Qualcomm to standardize apps development by adopting BREW Mobile Platform. With this agreement, AT&T intends to make BREW Mobile Platform its primary operating system platform for Quick Messaging Devices, one of the company’s fastest growing categories of devices.
AT&T customers with these devices historically haven’t had the same convenient access as AT&T smartphone customers to thousands of compelling, new applications. Since AT&T launched its pioneering line-up of Quick Messaging Devices in fall 2008, about 30 percent of the company’s postpaid customers who are new or upgrading have purchased this type of device. AT&T is committed to spurring innovation and apps development for the millions of customers in this category.
Quick Messaging Devices are integrated devices that are value priced and texting centric; they have full QWERTY keyboards, either physical or virtual, and, since this past fall, full Web browsing capabilities. Customers with these devices are more likely to demand apps, subscribe to messaging and data plans, and are a large potential market for application developers, according to AT&T research.
AT&T Chief Marketing Officer David Christopher announced plans to begin rolling out Quick Messaging Devices with BREW Mobile Platform in the second half of the year, so that by year end 2011, about 90 percent of AT&T’s devices in this segment are planned to be based on BREW Mobile Platform. AT&T announced that Samsung will be its first device maker to launch a Quick Messaging Device featuring BREW Mobile Platform. HTC, LG and Pantech also are building devices featuring BREW Mobile Platform for planned availability in late 2010 or early 2011.
“Today, developers must essentially rebuild apps for different handsets and operating systems, increasing their costs, slowing the pace of innovation and stalling the delivery of mobile apps to customers,” Christopher said. “We want to tear down the barriers and make it much easier for developers to reach our customers – and for our customers to access apps. Moving to one platform for this fast growing segment of devices will help developers reach millions more customers who want easy access to the hottest mobile apps.”
To help developers jumpstart apps development for AT&T’s BREW Mobile Platform devices, Christopher announced a new AT&T SDK which features support for BREW Mobile Platform, continued support for Java and widgets, and includes tools to help developers tap into AT&T network capabilities as they design and code their applications. The new AT&T SDK is available starting today at sdk.developer.att.com.
Taking the AT&T Developer Program to the Next Level
AT&T has a longstanding commitment to the developer community. It was among the first major carriers to offer a developer program and has been rated the top carrier development program for the past three years by Evans Data. Today, AT&T executives also announced plans, including some launch schedules, for a series of new or enhanced developer resources including:
Technical support for developers via live chat -- something no other carrier, operating system provider or handset maker offers today – and a tripling of overall tech support by mid-2010.
* Revenue share featuring a standardized 70/30 split for third-party developers in the AT&T App Center.
* AT&T Sandbox, a virtual network environment for developers to test and evaluate applications, which is planned to be available in 2Q 2010.
* AT&T Developer Dashboard, a tool that will let developers track the status of their app once submitted to AT&T, support digital signing of business agreements with AT&T, allow developers to set prices for their apps, and provide performance metrics and customer satisfaction feedback. The dashboard is available now for enterprise application developers and the certification of emerging devices. And for AT&T’s consumer development community, the dashboard will also provide needed automation which is planned for the first quarter of 2010.
* New marketing and referral relationships announced today between AT&T and other global carriers using GSM, the de facto world standard for wireless technology. The companies intend to create streamlined processes that help developers make their applications available to their combined base of hundreds of millions of customers.
* AT&T Developer Council, an advisory group hosted by AT&T and made up of leading development and technology companies and other influencers, such as EA Games, Telenav and Bonfire Media.
AT&T also announced a trial program with WaveMarket to make network location information accessible through Veriplace, WaveMarket’s cloud location aggregation platform currently in use by more than 1,000 developers. Veriplace allows SMS, Web, WAP and IVR developers to develop location-aware apps and services across device categories and participating carriers. The trial program will launch in the coming weeks.
AT&T Chief Technology Officer John Donovan also said that a new AT&T Virtual Innovation Lab will open in Atlanta in the second quarter to provide developer support for speech, location and messaging APIs (application programming interfaces). In addition, two new Innovation Centers, one in the East and one in the West, are planned for late 2010 to provide 3G and 4G RF (radio frequency) development support, testing and demos.

Many of us assumed that Verizon was going to sell the Google Nexus One phone come Spring of this year, apparently not. After a quick look at the image below it seems like Verizon will sell the handset, but according to our good friend Chris over at sister site SlashGear, not directly.
After paying more attention, and not letting our emotions get the best of us, we can understand what the image says: "The Nexus One with Verizon Wireless service. Coming soon in the United States." Yup! It's clearer now, it will come with Verizon's service, but it doesn't mention that Big Red will be selling the Android 2.1 handset.
Below, you can read the statement given by Verizon:

When the Nexus One phone becomes available to run on the Verizon Wireless network, it will be offered BY Google, and not directly by Verizon Wireless. So: not in Verizon Wireless stores, not online, not through telesales or customer service. Pricing has not been set, and there is no date other than “soon.”

This gives us something to think about; maybe Verizon want to keep their support (especially their marketing budget) for the Motorola DROID, or they just don't want to deal with customer service expectations about the Nexus One. Others believe that this is a clear indication that this is the real Google Phone or Gphone as many call it, for example, they are pointing at this webpage for the Nexus One: http://www.google.com/googlephone/tour/. Notice what it says in the middle?

BillShrink got to work on the price calculations right after the Google Nexus One went official, and a few hours later, they came up with the results. Apparently, the Nexus One Android handset undercuts the other great Android phone; the DROID by Motorola as well as the iPhone 3GS, but not the Palm Pre.
With a price of $529 SIM-free and unlocked, and at $179 subsidized via T-Mobile USA, the Nexus One total cost of ownership compared with the iPhone vs. Droid vs. Palm Pre, is cheaper than the first 2 handsets, and only the Sprint Palm Pre comes cheaper. Ownership is based on a two year contract plan; the 16GB iPhone 3GS totals $3,799 on AT&T with an unlimited plan and $2,839 for an "average plan".
Those are the same prices for the Motorola DROID on Verizon; $3,799 for the unlimited plan and $2,839 for the average plan, that's higher than T-Mobile’s pricing of; $2,579 unlimited and $2,339 average. The Palm Pre on Sprint is $2,549 for the unlimited plan, and $2,309 for the average plan. We are well aware that prices alone do not make a device better than others, but it sure helps on this crazy economy. Go on and click on the graphic below to see it full-sized.

Apparently, the Google Nexus One Phone will keep on getting more attention today; Adrian Ludwig from Adobe has demoed an early version of Flash Player 10.1 on the new Android 2.1 handset. Ludwig said the Nexus One will get Flash 10.1 via the web, as soon as it becomes available.
Flash Player 10.1 is currently in beta, but the Nexus One "Superphone" is already on the list of the first devices that will sport Flash 10.1. One of those first devices will be the Palm Pre, according to the same Adrian Ludwig on a video back on October 2009.
The video below demonstrates the Flash beta preview on several sites with various Flash elements, such advertisements and video. Adrian even played a game named "Alien Attack" on the browser of the Nexus One from MiniClip.com. What do you think folks, would you like to get flash on your new N1?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlWOocHwcLo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]